Remember me
By Mallory Quinn
Chapter 2
"Excuse-me, do I know you?"
When the nurses entered the room in the sunny morning, they were surprised to see "the sleeping beauty" with her eyes opened.
-Oh, "Angel face" you're awake! Said one of the nurses, I'll go get the doctor. Doctor! The "sleeping beauty"… What's your name?
"Sleeping beauty" why were they calling her like that? The doctor had arrived and was conducting an examination on her.
-So what's your name, Sleeping Beauty? Asked the doctor.
-Not, "Sleeping Beauty", she said with a week voice.
o-We know that, said the doctor, that's why we're asking you for your name…
"The Sleeping Beauty" remained speechless. What was her name, again? She didn't know. The black hole, the void, nothing.
-I… I… I don't know… I don't remember… but… Oh… My God!
-Easy, said the doctor, you just woke up from a long coma, it's normal, let time pass a little, ok?
- Ok.
But time passed and she still didn't remember her name. The doctor came back to see her.
-So "Sleeping Beauty", still nothing?
- Nothing… the black hole…
-We are going to register you as "Jane Doe" on your file, until you remember your name.
- Jane Doe?
- That's the name we give patients that don't remember anything… John for a man and Jane for a woman…
- "Jane Doe", it makes me sound like miss everybody… "Sleeping Beauty" was better, but since I'm not sleeping anymore…
She heard something in her head: " …Juliet" …was that her name?
- Juliet, she said.
- Oh, that's your name? You remember?
- No, but it's the only name in my head… Juliet.
- Ok, we're going to call you Juliet, then. The nurses nicknamed you "Angel face".
- "Angel face", "Sleeping Beauty"… she said.
- It's more phrases, than given names… said the doctor.
- That's very nice, she said smiling… maybe I'm mean with a bad temper…
- With a face like yours? No, said the doctor, you must be goodness incarnate.
- Stop it doctor, you're going to make me blush…
She actually blushed when she heard the compliment. And the doctor thought she was so beautiful.
- You'll need to do some exercises for your body that's now weak.
- Members you don't use atrophies…
- Exactly.
The doctor started thinking. Not a lot of young girls use that kind of vocabulary.
- I'm going to send a nurse with a wheel chair so you can go to the garden.
- Ok, doctor, she said smiling.
The doctor was looking at her, she had long blond and curly hair that had grown during all those months. They were undone pass her shoulders to her breast. Did she have a family? No one came to see her. Since she didn't have any memory, she couldn't tell them anything about herself.
In the garden, it was spring and the fresh air felt good on her. There were other patients of all ages, young, old, children; she was on her wheelchair next to an old man.
- Juliet, you can stay here, I'll come an get you in a little while, said the nurse.
- Thanks, Helen, said Juliet.
Juliet looked at the old man next to her.
- Good morning, she said with a nice smile.
- That's a matter of opinion! I don't see what's so good about it!
- Well, the sun is shinning, the birds are singing, the trees are green and the flowers are colourful…
- And that gives you a "good morning"?
- Yes. Isn't it beautiful?
-Not when you're old and sick like me…
- What? When you're old and sick, you can't see all the wonders of nature? Look how blue the sky is…!
- That's easy for you to say! You're young and you have your whole life in front of you.
- Maybe… but I'm also sick, I just woke up from a long coma…
- Oh… you're the "Sleeping Beauty"!
- I didn't know I was popular…
- You're kidding right? Such a beautiful girl in the coma? Everybody is talking about it! We were even making bets for when you were going to wake up…
- Gee, I feel so special, she said ironically, who won the bet?
- I don't know who won the bet.
- Never mind. I'm finally awake, and I have no memory!
- Oh… Sleeping Beauty, I'm sorry. But you're in such a good mood!
-It's better that to feel sorry about myself. Don't you think so? Joy is better than sadness.
The old man looked at her. This young girl was so beautiful, she didn't know who she was, she had no idea what she was going to do without her memory, but she was bursting of joy.
- I was sad when I woke up without my memory, but I didn't like that sensation. Joy is way better for the moral and health! Continued Juliet.
- You're right, nature is beautiful.
A ball landed on Juliet's lap and a little girl arrived quickly to get it.
- Is this yours? Asked Juliet.
- Yes… said the little girl.
- Here you go… said Juliet smiling.
- Thanks, said the little girl laughing.
The other patients came near them, and started to share their joy and sadness. They've all heard about the "Sleeping Beauty" and they wanted to know her. Some came out of curiosity and they stayed because of her joy. The fact that she had amnesia, made her more fascinating.
The doctor that was taking care of her, was looking at her by the window and saw all the patients surrounding her. There was something about this young girl… he didn't want to fall in love with her, because when her memory comes back, she will probably have someone in her heart already. But if that's the case, where is he? Didn't she have any family that was worried about her? Friends?
The days passed and Juliet after days of re-education, was finally able to walk. She didn't have her wheelchair anymore. She was feeling better physically. She continued with her sessions in the garden and she spent time with the nurses, and in the kitchen. She was also reading a lot and her favourite book was "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare. She didn't know why she liked the story of Juliet so much. She learned the part by heart. She also spent a lot of time with children. Those who couldn't go outside in the garden, she went to see them in their room and read them stories. She behaved like she always was in a hospital. The doctors and the nurses suspected that she maybe was a nurse before the accident. But since she had no memory to confirm their suspicions….
Time arrived when she had to leave the hospital and she was asking herself what she was going to do. She was in the garden and was thinking about it.
- Juliet, said the old man, you don't seem in the a good mood, today.
- I have to leave the hospital soon, and my memory is still not back. I don't really what to do or where to go…
- Come on Juliet, don't think about that "don't worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry about itself" It's not from me, it's from the Son of God himself, Jesus Christ! He joked.
They burst out laughing with the other patients that were present. She thought them so well, now it was them that were cheering her up! She was in her room later that day brushing her long blond hair.
Neil Reagan came to Hope hospital to make a donation on behalf of the Great aunt Elroy. The hospital was a little far away from Chicago. He was there against his will, he would had rather spend some time with his girlfriends. But the Great aunt wanted to prepare him to become responsible and often sent him to make donations around the city. Since she was frequently giving donations, the hospital had baptized a wing the "Elroy wing". The doctor was giving Neil the grand tour of the Elroy wing. But the doctor was called for an emergency, during the tour.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Reagan, I have to go.
- Ok, said Neil.
- I'm sending you a nurse to finish the tour.
- Yeah, yeah…
The doctor left. Neil was walking around a little, while he waited for the nurse. He was looking inside the rooms when he thought the saw a vision.
"Candy?" he thought.
He came closer and entered the room.
- Can I help you? Asked Juliet surprised.
- Candy? Candy?
- But…
- Candy, don't you recognise me? It's me, Neil…
- No, but…
He came near her and hugged her. Juliet froze on the spot. Who was this young man? Neil Reagan was so happy to see her that he didn't think and just hugged her. It felt so good to hug Candy! When he saw she wasn't reacting, he let go of her.
- I'm sorry, he said releasing her of his embrace.
- No, I'm sorry… do I know you?
- What? Of course you know me!
- I lost my memory… who are you?
Neil couldn't believe his ears. She didn't remember him? He saw a window of opportunity opening in front of him. Ever since Candy's disappearance, he couldn't stop thinking about her. He prayed every night that she'd be found and his prayers were answered; he had found Candy… without her memory! What a bonus! He could do with her whatever pleased him, and tell her whatever he wanted… it was simply irresistible! So he said:
- I'm your fiancé, Neil Reagan. You'd disappeared. Oh, my darling, I'm so happy to see you…! He said, hugging her again.
The young girl didn't know what to do. Engaged to this boy? No… nothing came to her head. It was still the black hole.
- I still don't remember. What did you say my name was again?
- Candy…
- "Candy" like the sweet? Why not chewing gum, while your at it? Ridiculous!
Neil couldn't help laughing.
- It's short for Candice… Your name is Candice White Andrew.
- Candice White Andrew? … No… that name doesn't ring a bell… nothing…
A nurse entered the room.
- What are you doing here, Mr. Reagan?
- I know this young lady…
- Really?
- She my fiancée, Candy.
- Oh, but… I don't think that you can tell her anything. She has to remember on her own… Juliet?
- Nothing, said Juliet, he said my name was Candy, but it doesn't ring a bell…
- I'm going to go get the doctor, said the nurse.
Neil stayed with Juliet who was still sceptical. Why was she sceptical? Didn't she worry about where to go not too long ago? This young man was giving her a little hope. He said he was her fiancé, he knew her. "Candy", what a funny name! Like the sweets… Why not throw herself in the water? This young man was like a safety buoy for her in a middle of the ocean where she couldn't see any land at the horizon. The buoy was going to help her get to shore, that she still couldn't see.
- Let's wait for the doctor, Neil, so he can tell us what you can and cannot tell me.
- Ok, said Neil.
In his head, he was so happy to have Candy only to himself. But he had to keep her far from away from her group of friends. She didn't have any memory; she's going to listen to him. He was her saviour… the doctor arrived with the nurse.
- Mr. Reagan, you know this patient? Asked the doctor.
- Yes, she's my fiancé, Candice White Andrew… she'd disappeared. What happened?
- There was a train accident back in November, two trains found themselves on the same track going in opposite directions… the collision was very violent. There were a lot of casualties and a lot of wounded. Your fiancée was badly wounded and she had an operation to repair her organs, but she didn't wake up. With the accident, her personal effects were lost. She wasn't regaining consciousness to tell us her name. She stayed very long in a coma. She woke only a month ago, without her memory. She has amnesia.
-We didn't know where she was, said Neil, she went to New York… and then there was no news from her. She probably took an earlier train before the date she'd given us, because she was supposed to come back in December. She certainly wanted to surprise us. Poor darling. And this hospital is out of town… that's why the police couldn't find her! But, I'm here now, Candy. I'm going to take care of you…
- I'm glad, said the doctor, Juliet?
- "Juliet"? Repeated Neil.
- Yes, since I didn't remember my name, and "Juliet" was the only one in my head, for a strange reason… said Juliet.
"That's because you went to see the good for nothing Grandchester play Romeo and Juliet!" thought Neil.
- So, they call me "Juliet", she finished. No, doctor, I still don't remember anything.
- Don't force yourself. You memory will come back in due time. Mr. Reagan, don't force her and avoid giving her too much details on her life. It has to come by itself. Are you ready to take care of her?
- Yes, of course. I'm going to take her home with me, until she gets her memory back.
- Doesn't she have a family?
- No, she's an orphan. My uncle adopted her…
- And you fell in love, said the nurse, how romantic!
Juliet smiled and Neil was in seventh heaven.
- When can I take her home? Asked Neil.
- Tonight it's too late, but tomorrow morning, there shouldn't be any problems.
- Perfect. It gives me the time to tell the family. They will all be so happy to see you, Candy. I'll come and get you tomorrow around noon, ok? Bye, honey.
- You're taking me to your house? Did you even asked me if I wanted to? Asked Juliet.
- No, I thought that…
- Because I don't remember anything, you think that I'm going to follow the first guy who says he knows me?
- Juliet, said the doctor, this is a great opportunity for you… the Reagan family is one of the richest of Chicago…
- Maybe, but I don't remember them. I know you better than them…
- Candy… Juliet, said Neil, come with me, please. We're going to take care of you. You don't know anybody; you don't know where to go. I'm offering you to come with me, to my house, so that you can rest and remember, so we could get married.
- Wait a minute, get married? I don't want to get married without my memory. That would be like marrying a stranger… Maybe we're not in good terms at all and you want to take advantage of my amnesia… Why weren't you in New York with me?
Neil remained silent. Juliet was right on the money! But he didn't let it show. He had to agree; otherwise Juliet could refuse to follow him.
- Juliet, he can't tell you anything more, you have to remember on your own, said the doctor.
- I promise you, said Neil, that we won't get married without your memory. So, you're coming with me, please? I'm sorry I assumed that you were going to come with me. Come on, Candy… Juliet…
- Ok, if you promise me that we will get married only if I get my memory back…
- I promise, he lied…
- Come and get me tomorrow then…
- Thank God. See you tomorrow, honey.
- See you tomorrow… But you said your uncle adopted me, why am I not going to his place?
- He's not there. He's on business trip and there's nobody there, he lied, you need to be in a family, I'm offering you mine…
- Alright, good night.
He kissed her on the forehead softly, and looked at her with love. And he left. The doctor and the nurse were observing Juliet's reaction.
- Miss Andrew? Said the doctor, are you ok?
"Miss Andrew" it sounded like he was talking to someone else. But in a way, it was another person, because she had no memory of "Candy White Andrew": she was "Angel face" "Sleeping beauty" even "Jane Doe", but not Candy… She didn't know anything about Candy, nothing at all. But she knew her name and that was a good thing.
- Yes, doctor, someone knows me.
- Your fiancé… said the nurse, he's handsome.
- My fiancé… well.
- Now you know where to go. The Reagans are rich. They have a big mansion, said the doctor, you're very lucky.
- Maybe, said Juliet, thanks, doctor.
The doctor left the room a little disappointed to have learned that Juliet, Jane Doe, was Candy White Andrew, engaged to Neil Reagan. The heir of a prominent family of Chicago. His uncle, said Neil, had adopted her; it could only be William Albert Andrew, hence the name "Andrew" in Candice White Andrew. She came from a rich family herself.
"I'm glad I didn't get too attached to her", he thought.
The nurse went and told everybody the news that Juliet had become Candy White Andrew. Everybody was happy for her. Juliet got out of her room for diner. She was having her last diner at the hospital. She was a little afraid to leave. The hospital was the only place she knew. Tomorrow she was leaving to go elsewhere. She entered the dining room; the lights were out. The lights came on suddenly and everybody screamed:
-SURPRISE!
She opened her eyes surprised and a smile illuminated her face. The dining room was decorated; there was a big sign that said:
"GOOD LUCK, JULIET… EUH Candy… WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU!"
Juliet had tears in her eyes, she thanked them touched…
- Thank you so much, I'm going to miss you too.
- Come on, said an old man, apparently you have a handsome fiancé and he's rich! You're very lucky!
The others agreed. They dined in the happy atmosphere. The cook had a cake that said:
"GOOD LUCK, ANGEL FACE!"
Back in her room, a nurse was there to make sure she was all right.
- Juliet, we're going to miss you, your joy of life, your cheerfulness.
- You can continue, Leticia, all you have to do is to show them that life is not so bad.
- It's like you're used to doing that.
- I feel so good in this hospital. I have no memory.
-Not for long, I hope. Good night.
- Good night.
Juliet had a very light sleep with no dreams. She didn't have any flash of her life as Candy White Andrew. She was a stranger to her.